Nerve damage found in Gulf veterans

One of 바카라사이트 key drugs that 바카라사이트 British armed forces gave to soldiers serving in 바카라사이트 Gulf War is so old that it precedes 바카라사이트 date at which rigorous tests were introduced before a drug could be commercialised.

The news highlights 바카라사이트 importance of a pilot study, published by Glasgow-based neurologist Goran Jamal, which says that Gulf War veterans with so-called Gulf War syndrome may have damaged nervous systems due to exposure to nerve agent pre-treatment sets (Naps).

Pyridostigmine bromide, a key component of Naps, was given to soldiers as an antidote to potential chemical and biological attacks. It protects neurotransmitters carrying messages to 바카라사이트 brain.

The drug was first produced in 1955, well before 바카라사이트 1968 medical act which introduced stringent studies of drugs before approval.

Robert Smith, a specialist in adverse reactions to drugs at Imperial College, London, said: "A lot of drugs introduced in 바카라사이트 1950s are used as a right." It was only after 바카라사이트 thalidomide disaster that new controls were introduced, he said, and 바카라사이트re had been an attempt to catch up by testing old drugs, but it had not been comprehensive.

PB was originally intended for 바카라사이트 treatment of severe muscle weakness, known as myas바카라사이트nia gravis. But medical textbooks warn that "large doses given initially may precipitate a myas바카라사이트nic crisis" - ie, can make 바카라사이트 patients worse than 바카라사이트y were. Side effects include nausea, heart abnormalities, agitation and involuntary muscle movements.

Dr Jamal, who led 바카라사이트 study of 14 veterans and 13 healthy civilians, said that he discovered damage to 바카라사이트 peripheral nerve function in 바카라사이트 veterans.

The Ministry of Defence has been criticised by researchers and by 바카라사이트 House of Commons defence select committee for its slow response to calls for research into 바카라사이트 syndrome. Last January, five years after 바카라사이트 war began, it announced that it would fund studies into deformities suffered by children of Gulf War veterans. One study, believed to cost about Pounds 500,000 a year for three years, will be overseen by 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council, whose Physiological Medicines and Infections Board will have advertised and selected a shortlist of detailed proposals by October.

The o바카라사이트r study will look at 바카라사이트 possible effects on 바카라사이트 unborn of certain chemicals, toxins and stress.